A cry break is a vocal break in a tone or note in a song. It is characteristic in the singing tone of Hank Williams where a note seems to break and start over again. There are notes that the singer sounds near to the point of starting to cry. It is a technique that is used in country singing. S ongs that deal with the issues of sorrow and loss are likely to contain cry breaks.
Famous quotes containing the words cry and/or break:
“To the cry of “follow Mormons and prairie dogs and find good land,” Civil War veterans flocked into Nebraska, joining a vast stampede of unemployed workers, tenant farmers, and European immigrants.”
—For the State of Nebraska, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“You’re gonna take the rap and play along. You’re gonna make every exact move I tell you. If you don’t, I’ll kill you. And I’ll promise you one thing, it won’t be quick. I’ll break you first. You won’t be able to answer a telephone or open a door without thinking “This is it.” And when it comes, it still won’t be quick. And it won’t be pretty.”
—Geoffrey Homes (1902–1977)